It’s no secret I love awesome older pets. The relaxed nature, grayed faces & excessive sleepiness just gets me every time. And, whether or not your aging dog is still going strong, senior pet life should celebrate your time together and give you amazing memories or things to look forward to.

Bucket lists can be a really fun and engaging way to enjoy your time together, create more memories and preserve them. But here’s the key – the bucket list for an aging dog should improve both your and their quality of life.

Typically bucket lists are filled with fun and adventurous things like long journeys or climbing a mountain or surfing (I met a surfer dog in California). And while some people might do these things with their pet, they can be too much for an aging pet.

When my yellow lab, Sadie, was aging, I always wanted to take her places and do some kind of fun hikes. We did some but not “epic” ones. In her older age, we would take her on slow (& safe) country rides in our Ranger. We’d stop to watch the cows or to go to the creek to see if any trout were jumping. Her ears flopped in the wind & she was happy as a clam at high tide.

When making your bucket list or picking things off your list, consider:

• Mobility: Aging dogs just can’t do the things they used to. So, keep that in mind when thinking about your activities.
• Overall health: Make sure you do a quick health check with your dog to make sure they can, indeed, participate. Some dogs might have sore knees or hips or cracks in their paws…just be aware of things like that.
• If they’re having a good day or a bad day: Just like humans, pets have good and bad days. Just because your dog may always oblige doesn’t mean they should.

The bucket list is a way to add to their quality of life and to share special moments together as they age. Let your pet guide you on what they can and cannot do!

Without further ado, here are 6 activities to try with your aging dog!

1. A Pet Photography Session. A professional photo session is not only a fantastic experience, it also will help you feel close to your pet as years pass. I cherish pictures of my dog, Sadie, who we lost in 2020. When I see the artwork of her I’m reminded of our very special days with her & how she brought us immense happiness. Having pictures enlarged and framed to relive great memories is a fun way to style your home, and preserve them for years to come.

2. Spend a Day Letting Them be the Boss/YES DAY! Can you give your pet total control for the day? Pick a special day and let them do what they want. Let them stop as many times as they want on their walks. Bring them to a pet store and let them pick a toy or treat. Do a special game together. Stop and get a pup-cup or a special treat.

3. A Bougie Feast. A paw-licking feast is a great way to show your pet love. Be sure to consider your dog’s health here and consult a medical professional before feeding anything new, but a special meal, can be a great memory-builder. My Sadie developed diabetes the last 2 years of her life so we had to be very careful what she ate. We were able to give her some of her favorite treats.

Just be sure – Check in with your vet if you’re in doubt!

4. Watch the Sunrise or Sunset Together. At the beach, from the countryside, or anywhere else with a clear view should work. I It’s a great time to just be there, with each other.

5. Plant a Tree or Bush with Them. And you’ll think of them every time you look at it. Plant any kind of tree or bush that makes you happy. Was it one you’d always see on a walk or something your dog always makes a bee-line to mark his territory?

6. Put a Camera on Your Dog’s Collar and See Life from Their POV. Cameras like GoPros can capture your pet’s world in a way you have never seen. If your pet tolerates it, put a camera on them and let them record their day-to-day life.

7. Pawprints, Stepping Stones or Other Artwork. I have a stamp made just for nose boops & for pawprints that I’ve used. It’s very easy and your dog won’t get any ink on their paws. Here’s a link to the ones I’ve used. I get mine here: https://furgift.com/collections/frontpage/products/pawprintstamppad

8. Write a Book. Did your pet inspire big things in your life? Maybe putting pen to paper is the best way to honor your time together and help their legacy live forever. I could write about how my dog would spend all day sleeping, then napping & finally going to sleep.

9. Go to a pet-friendly pub/restaurant. Enjoying a drink on the veranda or a special date at a restaurant. A couple ideas in the Rochester area: Grab a bite to eat at Five West and then head to LTS Brewery where they have a Pup Meet-Up every Thursday on the patio, starting at 6PM.

10. Go on a Picnic Date. It could be just the fam and your pet, or invite a few others to tag along. A picnic is such a fun thing to do together. You don’t have to go far. Your backyard – or even your living room – might be the perfect spot. Whitewater State Park is dog-friendly (they must be leashed) and a picture perfect place for a great picnic. 

What else should be on the list? Let me know!